I was wondering how the rest of you folks handle your New Years Resolutions… These rules can apply not only to trains, but to most anything…
The method I use is to keep a list, where I write down a proposed new rule or regulation… This list is reviewed on a regular basis…Some rules get scratched off, while some get lengthed and refined… I then have until midnite on the 31st to table or remove any proposed rule… But, At midnite, The remaining list of rules become law…
My upcoming rules will be Section 23-09…
This stands for Section 23, Woodside Township, Polk County, Minnesota…(my place)
23-08 were about five pages long… So, alot of thought, and decisions can be entered into the rules…
For instance, for O gauge trains::: the tough choices about scale size versus traditional sized trains and steam versus diesel, and two rail versus three rail, conventional versus Legacy or TMC…Lets not mention HO, G and S and N…yikes…
This is a little Extra thing that can be added into this enjoyable hobby, and, I have put this method to good use in the 1 to 1 world also…
For about 10 years I kept saying that I’m going to quit smoking for new years. well in 2003 I said this year I’m going to quit smoking and you know what 10 months and 25 days later I did with the help of my doctor . I said the following new year I did the only resolution I really cared about no need for any more, it took me 10 years of breaking it to finally do it.
Doug, maybe you can shed some lite on a question on the CNW… In 1927, the CNW received twelve new berkshire locomotives to be used in ore movements south to Peoria, Illinois… I was wondering where these ore shipments originated… I also question whether these berks were ever used in Minnesota… The reason I ask is that I have a pair of 2005 berk jr. locomotives… One of my regulations requires that steam locomotives have wheel arrangements protoypical of railroads that operated in Minnesota or North Dakota…There were only 611 berks built for north american railroads, so not every railroad had them…If I can find evidence that the CNW berks actually operated in Minnesota, I will label my berk jrs. for the CNW… Otherwise, they will be converted to mikados and labeled for the Soo Line…
Congradulations on winning a tough battle with smoking… being a non-smoker, I don’t believe I will ever know or understand how tough that battle really is…
My “battle” seems to be quite mellow when compared to your achievement…
My “habit” is that I am a train nut…period…and in the last five years, I have bought maybe more than my “share” of them… My family and friends will surely verify this "habit… So, to get this under control, I have adopted a bunch of rules and regulations reguarding not only future purchases, but restraints and requirements on existing equipment… So far; so good… Spending is way down, trainwise, But I wonder:::remodeling the entire downstairs for train operation doesn’t count…does it??
I agree with others here, I’m not making any. If I did decide, I don’t have to wait until 2009 to do it! I always try to live life each day to the fullest.
Well just for the sake of conversation, its to focus all my pimary hobby time onto building the layout. I’ve done enough bashes I need to get the layout well underway. I have 4 years to finsh it to a level to try and get it on the National Narrow Gauge Convention layout tour for 2013, which will be held in my hometown, what the heck, even if it doesnt make it on the tour, gives me a good excuss as any to spend alot ot time on it, right? [X-)]
You hit the main issue right on the nailhead!!! Your plan is to focus on a goal, and work towards that goal…
You have choices on track products: hand laid or readymade,
the brand, code of rail, tie color, etc…Another choice is the track grades and minimun curve requirements…
The “focus” is to build a prototypical layout and be able to run prototypical equimpent for a specific era…without problems or setbacks…to do this, you can look back on former layout projects, and learn from those experiences. We will definitely recall some “flawed” designs and methods of laying track, which we will never try again… Whether written down or not,we have made a resolution to “rule out” these flawed designs…
Even a two year old child playing on the floor with his little wooden Thomas The Tank Engine will adopt some rules… His Dear little Thomas, Anna, and Clarabelle may be parked for the evening, neatly in FRONT of his toybox (his depot)…never inside the toybox… That is his “rule”
Many ruless are created to prevent another unwanted, or bad experience…for example
Most of us slow the train down when going around a curve…We maybe learned this the hard way;; I still remember the horror of seeing the broken marker lite on my 233 Columbia when i
Well, when it comes to trains…After seeing pictures of all your great layouts and vast collections, not to be jealous and over-critical of my own layout and meager accummulation. Rather to appreciate what I do have and to salute your good fortune. (Too mushy, yeah I know!) Thanks for asking.
Honestly, I hope the political police never come to my place on a layout inspection… The first thing they may notice is one 4X8 section of a former layout… It has grown a set of 9 foot legs and is being used as a scafford platform in my shop…That “sprinkle on” green grass that life-like sells is a great anti slip material…That section will be reunited with it’s proper legs and returned to train service, for the third time…
My shelf layout design is actually a lazy and inexpensive way to build., Over 50% of the mainline will run though a utility and storage room. This “hidden area” will be unballasted tubular track mounted on a masonite strip. I only need to purchase half a circle of 072 tubular track, but have enough straights…cheap and simple and dependable…
The Open area will use about 68’ of Atlas flextrack or FasTrack to complete the single loop. a few switches will be installed for later modular expansions. The backdrops and scenery will eventually be kitbashed and el-cheapo, along with any bridges or structures…So I am not going to break a bank on this layout…
Basically, this is just a different approach to building a basic, expandable layout for running long 027 trains…
My room renovations are mostly done, but I am still waiting for a replacement breaker panel to finish my wiring before I get rolling on this layout…I also have a 5X7 G gauge layout to complete for my grandsons for Christmas…